Process of sinking shafts in soft earth



(MMM) T. J. PHILLIPS.

PROCESS 0F SINKING SHAPTS IN SOFT EARTH. l No. 424,820. Patentedl` r. 1,1890.

A N. @if CLJ UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

rrI-IoMAs J. PHILLIPS, or CLEVELAND, 10W A,

PROCESS OF SINKING SHAFTS IN SOFT EARTH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Lettersy Patent No. 424,820, dated April 1, 1890.

Application I'iled May 13, 1889. Serial No. 310,573. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom LT may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. PHILLIPS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Lucas and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sinking Shafts in Soft Earth; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to Inake and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The method and process of sinking shafts through soft or watery soil or other shifting material for which I desire a patent is as follows: Assuming that the pit or shaft has been already excavated through the solid earth for a considerable distance-say to the depth of ten (l0) feet-and that the size of the shaft desired is the same as that represented in the drawings, in which the curbing from outside to outside of the same is sixteen (1G) feet eight (8) inches by twelve (l2) feet two (2) inches in horizontal area, and assuming, further, that a stratum of shifting or watery soil has been reached which is too soft to form a wall about the excavation, and consequently falls or flows in upon the workmen from the sides of the excavation as fast as it is removed from the center, the problem for solution, then, is to prevent such inflow of earth from the sides of the excavation as it is being deepened, and also while an artificial wall or curbing' is being constructed from within, following the excavation downward in its descent. I attain these objects by the method hereinafter described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a sectional view. Fig. 2 is a plan of the shoe. Fig. 3 is a diagonal view from above looking downward into the excavation. Fig. 4 is a view of the coupling used to connect the rods together with hook attachment.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

My invention and plan of procedure are to construct a shoe or frame of wrought-iron, as shown in Fig. 2 and at A of Fig. 8, the inside of which shall be large enough to allow the curbing B to extend down into it. This shoe or frame A for a shaft of the size indicated is constructed, Jreferably, of wrought-iron, although I do not limit myself to any special material in the construction of any of the mechanism, and any suitable material may be used. The sides and ends of this shoe are of three-quarter-inch wrought-iron, thirty-six (3G) inches in width and of proper length to make a rectangular frame sixteen (16) feet eight (8) inches by twelve (l2) feet two (2) inches in horizontal area and three feet in depth. This rectangular shell, frame, or shoe is then braced as to its area at two points by ribs d, eighteen (1S) inches deep, made of two plates of three-quarter-inch iron, eighteen (18) inches wide, riveted or bolted together. These ribs are in turn strengthened by short braces b of the same depth and of a single thickness of iron extending from the ribs a to the sides of the shoe. The parts of the frame may be fastened together by bolts, rivets, or any de sired method. The upper area of the shoe is left clear to allow of the curbing extending down into it, as hereinafter described. Two brackets o, preferably of triangular shape, to receive, if desired, a shore or support d, of timber or other material, maybe placed on the inner sides of the ribs for the purpose of resisting any unusual pressure on the side of the shoe. Twelve (l2) iron brackets E, on which to locate j ack-screws, are firmly fastened in any desired. Inanner at intervals to the inner side of the shoe, as shown in the drawings. The shoe so conscructed is now a'rectangular frame stoutly braced, and with lo w g adapted to penetrate soft earth under proper pressure from above. It maybe either built within the shaft or constructed above ground and thereafter lowered into position upon the soft stratum of earth, as preferred.

W ith the shoe in position a curbing B of twoby-twelve plank, laid in successivelayers horizontally, is now built from below upward within the solid stratum of earth and above the shoe, the ends of the outside planks proj ecting in sections of six (G) or eight (S) planks into solid earth at intervals of about four (4) feet. The planks, as to their projecting ends, are reversed so that a set of the projecting ends or struts alternately project from the IOO scribed, by a heavy girder C, of suitable size,

strength, and weight, placed on the surface of the ground, which girder may be sixteen (16)- Y, inches square by thirty (30) feet in length and braced, as represented in the drawings. This girder C supports a lower timber of sill D, with ends projecting through the curbing,

(which sill may be of oak timber,) eight (8) inches by ten, (10,) placed on edge. The

method of supporting the curbing by over! reaching ends projecting into the earth and by the girders C may be employed separately or together to secure the desired result. The girder C and sill D are connected by four (4) two and a fourth (2i) inch iron rods F, about ten (10) feet in length. These rods, however, may be of any desired length and size. The ends of the sill or timber D, projecting through the curbing are intended and adapted to receive the weight of the curbing and to steady it. The lower portions of these rods extending through the sills are provided beneath the latter with washers g or other similar supports, upon which the sills rest, and are also provided with threaded couplingjoints h below the washers, into which sets of 4additional rods may be inserted Vas the work progresses downward to support and steady the additional sections of curbing as they are completed. Two (2) by twelve(l2) planks, as at z', may be nailed against the curbing as it progresses downward to assist the nails in holding until the support of the sills D is received. Any suitable material may be used for the curbing in lieu of planks.

The device has also an attachment for use in very soft earth or quicksand, consisting of hooks 7c, with threaded upper ends, as shown in Fig. 4t, adapted to be screwed into the lower cavi-ties of the coupling-joints 7i, and chains Z, leading from said hooks to the shoe and attached thereto, either .to the brackets or otherwise, as may be desired, whereby the shoe is prevented in such soft soil or quicksand from dropping below the curbing at any time, and thus allowing an inflow of soft earth or water from the sides. The iron frame or shoe A now rest-ing in position upon the soft soil below, and the curbing being built upward to the surface or to any desired height, and when built reaching from such height downward to near the edge of the shoe, additional curbing-planks at this point without overreaching spurs, but cut to fit freely within the shoe, are nailed from below upward with sixty-penny nails or otherwise securely fastened latwise against the under side of the curbing, thus extending the same downward inside the shoe, the inner edge of which lits closely around it. Hydraulic jack-screws E are now inserted between the brackets of the shoe and the lower face ofk the curbing-planks. Pressure is applied to the shoe, by extending the jack-screws against the resistance of the curbing, and the shoe is depressed by its own weight, supplemented by said jack-screw pressure, downward into the soft soil, thus allowing the soil itself to rise into the interstices of the frame between its ribs and braces, accessible to the workmen for excavation. Y This soil or earth then being excavated, the jack-screws are temporarily lowered, and additional'curbingplanks, (also without overreaching'spurs, as before,) cut to fit within the margin of the shoe, are nailed from below upward against the curbing, as before- The curbing is thus again brought downward the desired distance into the shoe, the intent being that the inner surface of the shoe shall play outside of the outer surface -of the curbing when pressure is exerted and the shoe extended downward, and that the sides of the shoe and that part of the curbing above it shall make a continuous wall, protecting the excavation and the workmen at all times against the tum of soft earth is passed or the desiredl depth is secured. The plank curbingV as it descends is further steadied and supported by additional sills and rods, the latter inserted in and supported by the threaded couplings hereinbefore mentioned.

It is obvious that shafts may be-sunk in this manner of any desired size or shape, and I do not limit myself to the size or shape of shaft described, nor do I limit myself to the special kinds or sizes of material mentioned, as any material which will secure the same results may be used in the place of that mentioned. Neither do I desire to limit myself to any special size of shoe or shape of shoe,

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as they may be readily varied; nor to any special arrangement or number of ribs or braces or brackets within the shoe; nor to any special length or number of supporting-rods; nor special depth of and for the sections of added curbing, whether such sections be secured by rods and sills or otherwise; nor to the braced and trussed girder on the surface of the soil as an anchorage, as a wedgingcurb or any adequate anchorage may be used; nor to the given space between the spurs or number of the same; nor to the use of hydraulic jack-screws only. These may be varied to suit the dimensions of the shaft, the character of the soil, and the obstacles to be overcome. In some situations-as, for in- IZO age of the heavy stringei` C herein shown might be inadequate or unsuitable, in which case any suitable anchorage may be adopted which serves the purpose of securing a resistant body against which the pressure of the screws wedges or other power used may be exerted. In the place of hydraulic jackscrews wedges or other means of exerting power may be used.

It is known that a curbing of wood with a sharpened and iron-bound lower edge has been heretofore used in foreign countries in excavating soft soils. Said wood curbing is sunk into the soil in successive impulses by the use of jack-screws. Additional curbing is then fastened upon the top of this curbing' with the sharpened edge, and the latter, with its addition, again depressed, as before. This addition of curbing from above and action of the screws is repeated until the required depth is reached or the friction upon the lengthened curbing exceeds the power of the screws to further depress it. In this foreign method the lower or cutting curb is never independent of but is fixed to and (except the sharpened edge) remains a part of the permanent curbing, and the entire curbing as thus built is each time depressed. Sheathing of boards and bands of straw are used in this method to prevent the inflow of water and sand over the descending curbing until the additional. curbing can be added.

I do not herein claim, broadly7 the apparatus for sinking shafts, such apparatus being the subject of my application, Serial No. 291,897, filed November 26, 1888. This I do not claim; but

lVhat I herein claim isl. In sinking shafts through soft earth,the method of sinking a protecting-shoe or pioneer frame in advance o f, yet inclosing aline of descending curbing by the weight of said shoe, supplemented by the pressure. operating against a fixed curbing, adding additional curbing from below by nailing or its equivalent, and sustaining the added curbing at intei-vals by cross-sills suspended from the fixed curbing by rods, substantially as shown and described.

2. In sinking shafts through soft earth, the method of sinking a protecting-shoe or pioneerframe in advance of and inclosing a line of descending curbing by the weight of said shoe, supplemented by pressure operating against a section of suspended curbing and said shoe, then adding additional curbing' from below, and sustaining and binding the added curbing to that already constructed by cross-sills supported by rods provided with threads and couplings for further extension, substantially as shown and described.

3. In sinking shafts through soft earth, the process of descending by first supporting an upper or iirst curbing by an anchorage across the mouth of the shaft or by spurs reaching into the soil next the shaft or otherwise, then sinking a protecting-shoe or pioneer frame downward through the soil by its weight and by pressure exerted against said curbing and shoe, then continuing the curbing downward by additions to its bottom for a new bearing, and then depressing the shoe as before and sustaining the descending curbing by rods or their equivalent, substantially as shown and described.

4. In sinking shafts through soft soil, the method of directing and controlling the inclination of descent of a shoe or pioneer frame by the application of additions from' below to a line of descending curbing, such additions being made within the shoe and bearing in the direction of desired inIiection and meanwhile supporting the shoe against unequal descent by guard-chains, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS J. PHILLIPS.

Witnesses:

MONROE EFNER, TAMEs ANDERsoN. 

